This week an inquest was held on woman who had committed suicide sion caused by listening to broadcast of "miserable poetry that affected her." It was first stated that the poetry in ques~ tion was some selections of Mr. James Stephens' work. An official of the B.B.C. said that poetry reads ings were me trepidation, as idea how listeners, would them. But judging by: the coe respondence received by the B.B.C. on the subject, it is now considered that poetry reading is a feature of the programmes which is appreciate ed, "Mr. Bernard Shaw made a characteristic comment: "I wonder there are not more suicides," he said. "At the same thine it is so very easy to turn' off the loud speaker that I think I should prefer that course. Personally I can stand 'Stephene' poetry quite well." Later, however, it was found that the poetry in question wis by Robert Nichols, a change having, been made in the programme after it had been printed, Mr, Nichols was deeply distressed, but said that hho did not think that, in fairness, either he or the B.B.C, should be held responsible. He said that both the pocms—"Night Rhapsody" and. "Last Words" dealt with death, bub both were exceedingly happy poems. 'They were both essentially hymns to the joy of living, Mr. Shaw, when he was informed that the poetry question was by Mr. Nichols, and not by Mr. Stephens, sent ames sage: "It makes: no difference to the opinion I expressed before.'
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.